Rimfire rifles in .22 LR, .22 WMR and .17 HMR — bolt actions, lever actions and precision trainers from CZ, Sako, Bergara, Ruger, Tikka and Lithgow.
A rimfire is the rifle most Australian shooters should buy first. Marksmanship is built on round count rather than calibre, and a rimfire is the only firearm most people can afford to shoot often enough to actually get good with — quiet enough to use around sheds and yards where a centrefire would be a problem, and with little enough recoil that you can see your own shot land.
Choosing the cartridge: .22 LR is a rabbit and small-vermin round, lethally precise inside 50 metres and dropping hard past about 75. .22 WMR is the honest fox round, good to a bit over 100 metres. .17 HMR is far flatter and excellent in still air, but the very light bullet drifts badly in wind.
In NSW a rimfire rifle that is not self-loading — bolt, lever or pump action — is Category A, the broadest licence category. You still need the licence and a Permit to Acquire for the specific rifle, and since 1 July 2026 a safe storage inspection comes first.
Scope it low and modest: past about 9x you are buying a shaking picture, and a rimfire-specific scope is set parallax-free nearer 50 metres rather than 100. We mount and bore-sight at the counter.
Buying Rimfire Rifles in Australia
- PricesRimfire rifles from $407 (Rossi 8122M) and $490 (Chiappa Little Badger); Ruger American Rimfire $820, Bergara BMR $895, CZ 457 from $1,195, Lithgow LA101 from $1,415, Tikka T1x from $1,449, Anschutz from $3,117.
- Availability74 rimfire rifles in stock today: CZ 457 (9), Lithgow LA101 (9), Bergara (7), Savage (7), Anschutz (6), Chiappa (6), Springfield 2020 (6), Browning T-Bolt (5), Tikka T1x, Ruger, Rossi, Henry and Steyr; the page shows only rifles on the shelf.
- DealerMagnum Sports, 19 Babbage Road, Roseville Chase NSW — NSW Firearms Dealer Licence 413159984 — (02) 9882 2689
Common questions
What is the best 22 rifle in Australia?
For a hunting and plinking .22 LR the CZ 457 ($1,195 to $1,695) and Tikka T1x ($1,449) are the two we sell most: accurate, good triggers, huge aftermarket. The Lithgow LA101 ($1,415) is the Australian-made alternative, the Ruger American Rimfire ($820) and Savage MkII ($675) are the value picks, and the Anschutz 1761 ($3,117 up) is the match rifle.
How much does a 22 rifle cost in Australia?
At Magnum Sports .22 LR rifles start at $407 for the Rossi 8122M single-shot and $490 for the Chiappa Little Badger; a Ruger American Rimfire is $820, a CZ 457 $1,195 to $1,695, a Lithgow LA101 $1,415 to $2,060, a Tikka T1x $1,449 to $2,979 and Anschutz target rifles $3,117 to $7,673 (September 2026).
What licence do I need for a 22 rifle in NSW?
A Category A licence, the entry level, with any genuine reason (recreational hunting on rural land, sport shooting through a club, primary production), plus a Permit to Acquire for the rifle and storage that meets NSW requirements. Rimfire ammunition is sold to Category A licence holders for collection in store.
22 LR, 22 Magnum or 17 HMR: which should I buy?
.22 LR for cheap ammunition, quiet shooting and rabbits to 80 metres; .17 HMR for a flat-shooting fox and rabbit rifle to 150 metres with a scope; .22 WMR for more punch than a .22 LR with heavier bullets. Most first-time buyers should start with a .22 LR and add a .17 HMR later.
Which rimfire rifles are in stock?
All 74 rifles on this page are on the shelf today, including the CZ 457 Beechwood, American, Varmint, Trainer, Lux, Premium and Range, Tikka T1x Multi Task, Hunter, UPR and ACE Target, Lithgow LA101 Crossover in polymer, walnut and laminate, Anschutz 1761 and 1710, Bergara BMR and B14-R, Savage MkII, B22 and BMag, Browning T-Bolt, Springfield 2020, Ruger American Rimfire, Rossi Rio Bravo and 8122, Henry and Chiappa lever actions.
Answers written by the licensed dealers at Magnum Sports, Roseville Chase NSW. Last reviewed September 2026. Firearms law differs by state; check with your state registry before you buy.
